Stenson dazzles at Sun City

Stenson: stellar round

Nedbank Golf Challenge
SA unless stated
63 Henrik Stenson (Swe)
68 Rory Sabbatini
70 Lee Westwood (Eng)
72 Robert Karlsson (Swe), Trevor Immelman, James Kingston, Sergio Garcia (Spa), KJ Choi (Kor), Luke Donald (Eng)
73 Kenny Perry (USA), Justin Rose (Eng)
75 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa)

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• EuroTour Schedule
• World Rankings
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Swede Henrik Stenson surged into a five-shot lead after the first round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge with a magnificent nine-under-par 63 at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City.

The Ryder Cup star got off to a flyer with three successive birdies. After another birdie at the 10th, Stenson went birdie-eagle-birdie from the 13th before finishing with three pars, to match the course record set by Ernie Els in the final round of the 2002 event.

Stenson is five shots clear of South African Rory Sabbatini, and seven clear of third-placed Lee Westwood, who posted an opening round 70.

Englishman Luke Donald continued his comeback from a wrist injury with a level-par 72 to share fourth place alongside KJ Choi, Sergio Garcia, James Kingston, defending champion Trevor Immelman and Robert Karlsson.

American Kenny Perry and England's Justin Rose carded 73s, while Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez is the 12-man field's tail-ender after a 75.

"It was a great day. I've had some good scores here in the past and it's a course I enjoy," world number 12 Stenson said. "I didn't know about the record but I wish someone had told me because I would definitely have gone one better.

"I only hit driver once today but I had a strong 3-wood. I kept hitting the fairways and played some great iron shots and putted well.

"It's a strong field and even though I've opened some ground on them I need to keep my head down tomorrow and stick to business."